Cost of Living in Long Beach, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,378 monthly including rent, or $1,228 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $4,829 with rent, or $2,183 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $6,280 including rent, or $3,138 for daily expenses alone.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.11 $18.11

$15.09 $15.09

$35.22 $35.22

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.0 $80.0

$66.5 $66.5

$200 $200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.06 $15.06

$12.05 $12.05

$20.08 $20.08

Cappuccino

$5.15 $5.15

$3.56 $3.56

$7.91 $7.91

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.33 $2.33

$3.90 $3.90

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.01 $2.01

$4.02 $4.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.31 $7.31

$5.04 $5.04

$12.10 $12.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.12 $8.12

$6.09 $6.09

$12.18 $12.18

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.99 $0.99

$1.62 $1.62

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.00 $3.00

$6.42 $6.42

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.31 $4.31

$2.16 $2.16

$6.50 $6.50

Eggs

$3.84 $3.84

$3.02 $3.02

$8.07 $8.07

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.31 $12.31

$5.55 $5.55

$22.22 $22.22

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.78 $12.78

$6.66 $6.66

$21.10 $21.10

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.25 $15.25

$9.80 $9.80

$27.21 $27.21

Apples (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$2.24 $2.24

$8.73 $8.73

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.31 $1.31

$2.68 $2.68

Oranges (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$1.01 $1.01

$8.97 $8.97

Tomato (1kg)

$4.89 $4.89

$2.25 $2.25

$9.08 $9.08

Potato (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$1.31 $1.31

$6.58 $6.58

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.78 $1.78

$4.51 $4.51

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.08 $2.08

$1.00 $1.00

$3.53 $3.53

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.00 $1.00

$3.11 $3.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.12 $11.12

$7.08 $7.08

$13.15 $13.15

Wine (Bottle)

$15.08 $15.08

$8.04 $8.04

$30.16 $30.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$1.40 $1.40

$3.50 $3.50

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.77 $1.77

$6.08 $6.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.46 $1.46

$3.90 $3.90

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$67.8 $67.8

$63.9 $63.9

$76.9 $76.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$9.86 $9.86

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.39 $4.39

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.74 $27.74

$64.4 $64.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.17 $1.17

$1.52 $1.52

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$23.8K $23.8K

$36.5K $36.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.4K $27.4K

$26.0K $26.0K

$35.5K $35.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$159 $159

$140 $140

$454 $454

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.0 $53.0

$29.47 $29.47

$118 $118

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.6 $58.6

$50.0 $50.0

$110 $110

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.98 $38.98

$17.98 $17.98

$89.0 $89.0

Cinema Ticket

$15.01 $15.01

$12.93 $12.93

$19.89 $19.89

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,490 $1,490

$994 $994

$1,987 $1,987

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.7K $28.7K

$17.9K $17.9K

$49.8K $49.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.11 $48.11

$25.32 $25.32

$101 $101

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$33.79 $33.79

$24.03 $24.03

$100 $100

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.6 $99.6

$55.9 $55.9

$150 $150

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$71.4 $71.4

$178 $178

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,384 $2,384

$2,008 $2,008

$3,012 $3,012

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,078 $2,078

$1,696 $1,696

$2,793 $2,793

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,611 $3,611

$2,968 $2,968

$4,452 $4,452

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,343 $3,343

$2,780 $2,780

$3,773 $3,773

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,131 $7,131

$7,004 $7,004

$7,252 $7,252

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,865 $6,865

$6,139 $6,139

$7,186 $7,186

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,425 $4,425

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.39

7.25

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $2,384 for a central one-bedroom, or $2,078 outside the center. At around 54% of the average salary ($4,425), rent noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,425, while typical expenses reach $3,378. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $5,067.

Expect to spend about $397 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $80 for two.

Public transport is priced at around $68 per month.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is more expensive than 99% of cities in North America

Fast food meal is more expensive than 98% of cities in North America

1-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 95% of cities in North America

Long Beach, CA Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Long Beach, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Long Beach offers a balance of value and lifestyle that appeals to travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Housing options range from affordable studio apartments inland to oceanfront properties, with rents and leases often more flexible than in bigger coastal hubs. Dining and groceries present midrange costs, while public transit and biking can cut transport bills. Cost of Living in Long Beach, CA, United States is generally friendlier to steady budgets than central LA or Orange County, though upscale pockets along the water raise prices. Tip: Prioritize neighborhoods with good transit access and built-in 24/7 conveniences to maximize value.

Daily life in Long Beach blends beachside leisure with practical city living. Housing search spans older walkups near retro neighborhoods to newer towers near the harbor, with flexibly leased units and month-to-month options appealing to nomads. You’ll find diverse food scenes, farmer’s markets, and affordable takeout across districts, plus sturdy transit via buses and light rail. Co-working spaces cluster around downtown and near the waterfront, while errands are convenient with nearby shops and bike lanes. If you’re budgeting with Long Beach, CA, United States living cost in mind, build a routine around off-peak transport and shared workspaces to stretch your days. Tip: Opt for off-peak transit passes and check co-working deals to stretch your stay.

Quality of life in Long Beach tends to reward outdoor activity, diverse neighborhoods, and a supportive start-up scene. To budget effectively, use a simple framework: housing as your anchor, then estimate daily essentials (food, transit, utilities) and a safety buffer for activities and healthcare. Neighborhoods near the water offer more amenities but can skew higher in price, while inland areas often feel more relaxed and affordable. Seasonality is mild; plan for heat in summer and occasional rain in winter. Tip: Map a few neighborhoods that match your pace, then test them with a weekend visit before committing.

With 54% of the average paycheck going to rent, Long Beach, CA is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

All in, Long Beach, CA runs about $3,378 monthly with rent, or $1,228 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.

At $4,425 take-home, most residents in Long Beach, CA can cover the $3,378 monthly cost of living. Those earning $5,067 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Where you live in Long Beach, CA makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $2,384; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $2,078. Overall, the market runs from $2,078 to $2,384 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

A monthly transit pass in Long Beach, CA runs about $67.8, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

A single person's grocery bill in Long Beach, CA runs about $397 monthly, which is above average. Everything from dairy and meat to fresh produce costs more here, reflecting the city's overall high price level.

At $3,378 in typical monthly expenses, a $1,500 budget barely covers Long Beach, CA. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.

Long Beach, CA offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, vibrant nightlife, remote work facilities, and at around $3,378 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.